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SYRIA: Help feed the starving thousands

By donating to Aid to the Church in Need, you can provide Syrian families with some of the help and support they need.

Syrian children need your help (Photo: ACN)

Poverty has left Syria’s war-torn families struggling to buy food; the cost of living has spiralled since the outbreak of civil war, with the price of wheat flour has increased by 300% and rice by 650%.

Two thirds of families in Syria are living on less than £1.60 a day, with the remaining third in even worse hardship – thousands of families have fallen into debt just to get the money they need to buy food.

Father Andrzej Halemba, ACN’s Middle East project head described an “appalling daily struggle to buy food” endured by Christians and others.

But with your help, ACN is working directly with local Church leaders to support thousands who are at risk of starvation.

ACN’s aid package announced recently will provide food aid, as well as other vital supplies including medicine for 3,000 families in the country.

Funding will also support projects helping widows, victims of the war, young people who have lost their jobs, and families in particular need.

Sister Annie Demerjian of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary and her team of volunteers make monthly visits to the families in desperate need , bringing food baskets and other essential aid.

Sister Demerjian said: “Every time we visit one of the families we ask them to pray for those who have contributed and are still contributing to ease their suffering, and it is beautiful is to see their open hands thanking God and thanking you for your brotherly love.”

Neville Kyrke-Smith, National Director of ACN UK said: “We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Syria in their seventh year of terrible suffering and great need. The generosity of our benefactors is fulfilling the resurrected Christ’s own words to ‘feed my lambs’ [John 21:15] in the consoling love and help they are providing.”

He added: “Our thanks to the Good Shepherd Sisters, Sister Annie, her volunteers and all in the Church who are helping those suffering because of war and persecution for their faith.”

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